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Friday, January 25, 2013

Can I Get a "Five for Friday!"

Yup, it's Friday!  (Begin excited dance session now!)  All of this excitement means that it is time for Doodle Bug's Five for Friday linky.

 
 
 
5 random things from this week....HMMMMMMM???  Where do I begin????
 
 
1. This week was only a three day week for us.  We had off for MLK Jr on Monday and today was Records day so no kiddos!!!!  I finished up entering our PALS test results, putting together their interim reports, organizing some classroom stuff, and attempted to get a good start on my lesson plans.  Let me tell you, it was wonderful not having a room full of little owls today.  The quiet was so relaxing.  I needed that!
 
2. I finished up a cohort about Rigor in the classroom.  I got a lot out of this professional development/cohort.  The faciliator was Wonderful (yes with a capital W.)  Bonus was we got the book that the pd was developed around for FREE!
 


3. From the above mentioned cohort/pd, I have been putting more of an emphasis on my vocabulary station.  I have been making it a point to introduce and give meaning to each lesson's vocabulary in our literacy curriculum.  The kids have been doing beyond amazing with it.  Some words we give a verbal meaning to and others we give a movement to.  After we have worked with and reviewed the words for an entire week, I put them into a literacy station.  The little owls then pick one of words, write it on a vocabulary page, and draw a picture to show what it means.  I have them tell me all of these things orally later.

 
These are some of the vocabulary mats that go into the workstation and the vocabulary cards I display.  A teacher in the district made them and was kind enough to share them with those of us taking the cohort.
 
4. I have also been "beefing" up my calendar time by incoporating some much needed math skills review.  This week I used the below activity to work on the concepts of more/less and long/short.  I had the page enlarged and laminated so we can do this whole group right now.  We are using our names at this time.  I'm going to jump into sight words next to hit our other area of weakness.
 
 
 
If you would like a copy to try this with your group, just leave your e-mail in a comment.  I can send it right to you.
 
5. Last thing and not school related, I am getting the house to myself tomorrow.  I cannot express just how excited I am to be able to clean and do school stuff without my little man running around asking, "What's this, Momma?"  Love him to death but sometimes I just need a bit of space.  :)
 
Thanks for reading.  If you would like to check out some more randomness, head over to Doodle Bug's blog and see what others are posting.
 
~Erin
 
 



14 comments:

  1. I love that for more and less! We're working on it too. Enjoy having the house to yourself!

    Danielle
    danielle.faerber@gmail.com
    Carolina Teacher

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  2. We've been doing a lot of PD on 'rigor' because of common core too! :) I will have to check out that book that you mentioned! :) Is it for all grades or specific to Kinders and Firsties? As I've been looking for things on common core, it seems that there's not a lot out there for our kids particularly...but there is a ton for the bigger kids...have you found that to be true as well? So nice to meet you! :) Thanks for stopping by my blog to say hello! :) I am following you now too! :)

    Tamara
    Mrs. Russell's Room-First Grade

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    1. I haven't really done a lot of research on books on common core. Our district is just diving head first into this year and is offering pd left and right. I attend when I can and I stockpile what is discussed for summer when I have free time. :) The book though is a getting started book so it offers activities and an overall definition of what rigor is and what it looks like. I think it can speak to any grade.

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  3. Oh, a 3 day week and a day in the house alone sounds like heaven!!! We just compared names using the same method. I love your idea of doing with sight words, also. They definitely need practice with their sight words. Great way to get a double dose.

    Angelia
    Extra Special Teaching

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    Replies
    1. I did something close to this last year and my kiddos really got the concepts down. I love trying to get as many things taken care of as possible with just one activity. The extra review/practice is always nice. :) Thanks for following!

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  4. A day without kids to do teachy stuff at school, how wonderful. Enjoy your "Home Alone Day" tomorrow.

    Terri
    The First Grade Princess

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    Replies
    1. Oh my word! It was beyond nice having no kiddos today and a classroom where I could scatter things about and not rush to get it put away b/c the kiddos would be coming back from lunch in 2 minutes. :)

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  5. I think the Rigor book would be great. I liked your vocabulary packets too. :)

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  6. We only had a three day work week with the kids too. I love having record's day to get things done! I am your newest follower.
    Kate
    http://funinecse.blogspot.com/

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  7. I'm always looking for a good PD book to read. Thanks for sharing!

    Megan
    Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade
    Mrs. Wheeler TpT

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  8. Loved your Five for Friday! Thanks for sharing :) the calendar activities look fabulous! Hope you enjoyed your relaxing day alone!

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  9. Thank You for sharing. I start vocabulary Monday morning with my class. Would love a copy of your freebie. Thanks again

    Venus
    venusj9@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Sent you the freebie! Hope it works out well for you and your kiddos! :)

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  10. If it is still possible to get your More or Less / Longer or Shorter freebie, I would love to have it. farmerz@mts.net

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